Spiritual Treasure Forging Voucher

Niu Ben naturally chose the second option without hesitation. He clasped his hands in a bow, putting on a flattered expression.

"Thank you for your favor, Demon Emperor, but I'm afraid I'll disappoint you. I prefer to stay at Kunlun Mountain and cultivate by Master Taishang's side."

His expression told Di Jun that he appreciated the gesture but had no intention of joining.

The moment he refused—

The system's prompt echoed in his mind again.

[Congratulations, master, for obtaining a Spiritual Treasure Forging Voucher. It can upgrade an innate spiritual treasure's grade, up to Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure!]

A reward for nothing, Niu Ben was naturally pleased.

Di Jun's face returned to its usual cold, proud demeanor, though anger simmered within him.

After all, he was the sovereign of the Demon Clan. If Taishang himself had refused, that would have been understandable—his status, position, and strength were far beyond Di Jun's.

But now, a mere Primordial Unity Golden Immortal dared to reject him without hesitation.

He didn't even bother to think of a proper excuse, just dragged out Taishang's name to pressure him.

Though deeply displeased, Di Jun was a Demon Emperor with a sharp mind. He didn't let it show on the surface, merely nodding lightly.

Niu Ben had used Taishang to suppress him—the refusal couldn't have been clearer.

"Farewell!"

Niu Ben watched Di Jun leave, unable to suppress the smile tugging at his lips. He turned and went straight back to his cave.

After some thought, he decided not to use the Spiritual Treasure Voucher just yet. It wouldn't disappear, so he could wait until he had a suitable treasure.

Di Jun had first gone to invite the Three Pure Ones as a probing move.

If it worked, it would be a pleasant surprise.

If not, it was just a minor disappointment. As long as the Three Pure Ones didn't side with East Prince Gong, that was good enough.

He feared that if he didn't show up and extend an invitation, the Three Pure Ones might feel slighted and turn to help East Prince Gong instead—then he'd have nowhere to cry.

But the one he truly wanted to invite was at Buzhou Mountain.

Since birth, the Three-legged Golden Crow had possessed its innate divine ability: the Golden Crow Rainbow Transformation Art.

Among speed-type divine abilities, it ranked at least in the top three.

Before long, Di Jun arrived at a certain area of Buzhou Mountain.

As he appeared, he released a faint trace of his aura.

Two figures swiftly emerged from Buzhou Mountain.

A man and a woman, both with human heads and serpent bodies.

It was Fuxi and Nuwa.

Fuxi stepped forward, his demeanor refined and gentle. He clasped his hands in a bow, a hint of confusion in his voice, and asked directly, "Daoist Brother Di Jun, what brings you here?"

They had met at the Purple Firmament Palace, and as fellow top-tier Great Experts, they were familiar with each other.

Di Jun immediately returned the bow, a smile on his face. "Greetings to Daoist Brothers Fuxi and Nuwa!"

Fuxi and Nuwa were born at the foot of Buzhou Mountain, two supreme Great Experts and top-tier existences. Naturally, they were close in affinity, and Di Jun was confident he could win them over to the Demon Clan.

They were the true purpose of his journey.

To recruit them, Di Jun came with full sincerity. He placed them on equal footing and didn't intend to play word games.

He wiped the smile from his face and let out a soft sigh. "Two Daoist Brothers, to be honest, I've come to invite you to join the Demon Heavenly Court."

"Now that the Purple Mansion Immortal Court has recruited the Two Westerners, East Prince Gong bullies the weak and treats our Demon Clan as blood food. He slaughters countless demons and refines their flesh into pills. The Purple Mansion Immortal Court grows strong, and all demons must unite to resist."

Nuwa frowned slightly. She had no interest in these conflicts. They only resembled demons in appearance but were true Innate Beings.

She didn't answer, merely listening quietly.

Fuxi's heart wavered. He was skilled in divination, and when Di Jun invited him to join the Demon Heavenly Court, he felt as if his fate had been touched.

His sister was destined to become a Saint, but she hadn't even found her own path yet.

That momentary stir sent a ripple through his heart.

Perhaps his path lay with the Demon Clan.

Seeing that Fuxi hadn't immediately refused but was hesitating, Di Jun's heart leaped with joy. He knew there was a chance.

His tone grew even more earnest as he urged, "Two Daoist Brothers, I do this for the entire Demon Clan. If we don't unite and resist, the demons will be slowly slaughtered to extinction."

"Though we are Innate Beings, we are all demons. How can we bear to watch our Clansmen become others' blood food?"

"If you two are willing to join my Heavenly Court, I'll give you the best treatment. You'll share in the Demon Clan's fortune and rank above the Ten Demon Gods."

The string in Fuxi's heart seemed to be plucked. He felt his path lay with the Demon Clan.

After a brief moment of thought, he nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I agree to join the Demon Heavenly Court!"

With that, he turned his gaze to Nuwa.

Nuwa naturally understood her Big Brother's meaning. Seeing the look he cast her way, she gave a slight nod. "Since Big Brother has already agreed, I consent as well."

Di Jun laughed heartily. "The Demon Heavenly Court welcomes both fellow Daoists to join!"

After a round of pleasantries.

The three agreed that Fuxi and Nuwa could come to the Demon Heavenly Court at any time.

Di Jun had another target, one he considered the most likely to succeed.

And this person shared the same goal as him.

Some things could only be understood, not spoken. He had long planned for this matter, but he did not reveal those plans to Fuxi and Nuwa.

After leaving Buzhou Mountain, he traveled to the distant land of Northern Darkness.

In Northern Darkness, there was a fish, its name was Kun. Kun was so vast that its size was unknown for thousands of li. It transformed into a bird, its name was Peng. Peng's back was so vast that its size was unknown for thousands of li.

Ancestor Kunpeng was born in the land of Northern Darkness; this saying described his true form.

Di Jun moved with great speed. As he traveled, he concealed his aura. Inviting various Great Experts to join the Demon Heavenly Court was all done in secret, so even if someone refused, it wouldn't be embarrassing.

He would not be like East Prince Gong, foolishly revealing all his cards.

Only when he reached his destination would he release his aura. Without needing to speak, the person he invited would naturally appear.

Kunpeng was in the midst of cultivation when he suddenly sensed the aura of Demon Emperor Di Jun. Not daring to be negligent, his true form leaped forth.

His colossal true form blotted out the sky, as if it would cover the entire heavens.

But then he transformed into a human figure, landing before Di Jun. He cupped his hands in a salute first, then asked with a smile, "May I ask why Fellow Daoist Di Jun has come?"

Di Jun stated his purpose directly.

With someone like Kunpeng, there was no need to speak of the greater good for the demon race; it was enough to talk about benefits.

"You and I are both demons, able to form a natural alliance. Moreover, we are both among the three thousand guests of Purple Firmament Palace. So I wish to invite you to join the Demon Heavenly Court, and I will grant you the position of Demon Master!"

Kunpeng had not expected Demon Emperor Di Jun to be so direct. His heart was filled with delight. Cultivation was arduous and dull; if he could borrow the demon race's fortune, his cultivation speed would advance by a thousand li in a single day.

And with this opportunity, he could make a request.

He believed Di Jun would not refuse.